Gaming machine having a game outcome determined by group association

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for playing a wagering game with a winning game outcome determined by the selection of at least two groups from a plurality of groups. Each group having a plurality of possible game outcomes, with the possible game outcomes duplicated in some or all of the groups. The winning or selected game outcome is the game outcome associated with each of the selected groups. The selected game outcome may be determined by the intersection of the selected groups, or may be the game outcome that is common to each of the selected groups.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/615,039, filed Oct. 1, 2004, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to gaming machines and, moreparticularly, to gaming machines having a bonusing feature thatidentifies a selected game outcome from a plurality of award groups.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to gaming machines and, moreparticularly, to gaming machines having a bonusing feature thatidentifies a selected game outcome from a plurality of award groups.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines, and thelike, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for many years. Thepopularity of such machines is generally dependent on the likelihood (orperceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsicentertainment value that the gaming machine provides. Where theavailable gaming options include numerous competing machines and theexpectation of winning at each machine is roughly the same (or believedto be the same), players are most likely to be attracted to the mostentertaining and exciting of the machines. Consequently, operatorsstrive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines available.Accordingly, in the competitive gaming machine industry, there is acontinuing need for gaming machine manufacturers to produce new types ofgames, or enhancements to existing games, which will attract frequentplay by enhancing the entertainment value and excitement associated withthe game.

One concept that has been successfully employed to enhance theentertainment value of a game is that of a “secondary” or “bonus” game.The bonus game may be played in conjunction with a “base” game. Thebonus game may comprise any type of game, either similar to orcompletely different from the base game, which is entered upon theoccurrence of a selected event or outcome of the base game. Thisselected event or game outcome is known as a triggering event. Such abonus game produces a significantly higher level of player excitementthan the base game because it provides a greater expectation of winningthan the base game and is often accompanied by more attractive orvisually interesting game.

Many bonus games have depended upon relatively simple techniques ofpicking hidden bonus awards from a group of bonus awards to reveal theaward amounts payable to the player. Generally, a player continues topick bonus awards until a stopper or other mechanism exits the playerfrom the bonus game. In lieu of a stopper, the player may have a limitednumber of selections in the bonus game before the player is exited fromthe bonus game back into the base game. The player may also be presentedwith an alternative hidden bonus value, which the player may accept ordecline. The selection type bonus games are relatively simplistic. A newgame play mechanism is needed to enhance these random selections ofbonus values.

One method for improving the anticipation and excitement of the bonusgame is to reveal all of the possible bonus game outcomes to the playerat the start of the bonus game. The bonus game randomly eliminatespossible bonus game outcomes in successive stages until only a singlebonus award remains. The remaining award is paid to the player. Thisallows the player to know the potential awards that he can obtain at theonset of the bonus game, and at each stage of the game allows the playerto re-evaluate the award the player could potentially obtain as bonusawards are eliminated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a gaming machine having an improvedgame outcome selection and presentation to enhance the entertainmentvalue of the game. The bonus game award is selected by virtue of itsassociation to at least two bonus groups, each bonus group having aplurality of possible game outcomes. The bonus groups used fordetermining the winning game outcome are selected from a plurality ofpossible bonus groups. The association between the selected bonus groupsmay include common possible game outcomes as represented in the bonusgroups selected. It may also include the physical or visual intersectionof the selected bonus groups to define the selected game outcome, andany other type of association that can define a selected game outcomefrom two separate groups of possible game outcomes.

Many different methodologies may be used to select the particular groupsfrom which the selected game outcome may be determined. For example, thebonus game could be a gaming machine having a selector mechanism toidentify selected award groups. The selector mechanism may be a typicalslot type base game to randomly identify selected award groups used todetermine the selected game outcome. The selector mechanism may also bepart of the bonus game itself (i.e., the base game's association withthe bonus game limited to triggering the bonus event).

In one embodiment of the present invention, a gaming machine comprises awager acceptor for accepting a wager to initiate game play. The gamingmachine also comprises a central processor unit for randomly selecting aselected game outcome from a plurality of possible game outcomes. Theplurality of possible game outcomes forms a plurality of groups. Each ofthe plurality of possible game outcomes is defined by two groups fromthe plurality of groups. The central processing unit further determinesthe two groups defining the selected game outcome. The gaming machinealso comprises a display in communication with the central processingunit. The display displays each of the plurality of groups and theplurality of possible game outcomes in each of the plurality of groups.The gaming machine further comprises a payoff mechanism in communicationwith the central processor unit to make an award for the selected gameoutcome.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a gaming machinecomprises a wager acceptor for accepting a wager to initiate game play.The gaming machine also comprises a central processor unit for randomlyselecting at least two groups from a plurality of groups. Each of theplurality of groups has at least one possible game outcome. The centralprocessor identifies a selected game outcome that is associated witheach of the at least two groups. The gaming machine further comprises adisplay in communication with the central processor unit. The displaydisplays each of the plurality of groups and the plurality of possiblegame outcomes in each of the plurality of groups. The gaming machinefurther comprises a payoff mechanism in communication with the centralprocessor unit to make an award for the selected game outcome.

According to another embodiment, a method for playing a wagering game ona gaming machine comprises accepting a wager and displaying a pluralityof groups. Each of the plurality of groups has a plurality of possiblegame outcomes. Each of the plurality of possible game outcomes isassociated with two groups from the plurality of groups. The methodfurther includes randomly determining a first group, randomlydetermining a second group, identifying a selected game outcomeassociated with both the first group and the second group and making anaward for the selected game outcome.

According to yet another embodiment, a method for playing a wageringgame on a gaming machine comprises accepting a wager and displaying aplurality of possible game outcomes organized into a plurality of groupson a display. Each possible game outcome is associated with at least twogroups. The method also includes determining a selected game outcomefrom the plurality of possible game outcomes and determining the atleast two groups associated with the selected game outcome. The methodfurther includes distinguishing the at least two groups associated withthe selected game outcome from the plurality of groups on the displayand making an award for the selected game outcome.

According to a further embodiment, a method for playing a wagering gameon a gaming machine comprises accepting a wager and displaying arectangular array of possible game outcomes. Each possible game outcomeis in a horizontal and a vertical group. The method also includesrandomly determining a first group and a second group and selecting afirst award area relative to the first group and a second award arearelative to the second group. The method further includes determining aplurality of selected game outcomes, wherein the selected game outcomescomprises the intersection of the first award area and the second awardarea, and making an award for each of the plurality of selected gameoutcomes.

In another embodiment, a method for playing a wagering game on a gamingmachine comprises accepting a wager and displaying an array of possiblegame outcomes. Each possible game outcome is uniquely defined by acoordinate system. The method also includes randomly selecting a firstcoordinate and a second coordinate and making an award for the selectedgame outcome defined by the first coordinate and the second coordinate.The coordinate system may include a rectangular coordinate system havingan x-coordinate and a y-coordinate to define each possible game outcome.Alternatively, the coordinate system may include a polar coordinatesystem having a distance coordinate and a directional coordinate todefine each possible game outcome.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparentupon reading the following detailed description and upon reference tothe drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electromechanical gaming machine;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system suitable for operating theelectromechanical gaming machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a video gaming machine;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system suitable for operating thevideo gaming machine of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a first embodiment of the bonus game presented using arectangular array to present award groups of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is the bonus game of FIG. 5 with the first award group selected;

FIG. 7 is the bonus game of FIG. 6 with the second award group selectedto determine the bonus award;

FIG. 8 is the bonus game of FIG. 5 with both the first and second awardgroups determined and the selected game outcomes determined by the awardarea created relative to the first and second award groups; and

FIG. 9 is a second embodiment of the bonus game presented using circulararray to present award groups.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. Itshould be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to belimited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to the drawings and referring initially to FIG. 1, anelectromechanical gaming machine 21 is depicted that may be used toimplement a wagering game according to the present invention. Theelectromechanical gaming machine 21 includes mechanical reels 26 thatare used to display a base game outcome.

Turning to FIG. 3, a video gaming machine 19 is shown. The video gamingmachine 19 of FIG. 3 uses a video display 16 to display the base gameoutcome. The video display 16 may use a CRT, LED, LCD, or generally anyother type of video display. The video display 16 may also include atouch screen 17 to allow players to make game selections.

In the illustrated embodiments, the gaming machines 20 are “upright”versions in which the video display 16 (or in the example of theelectromechanical gaming machine 21, the mechanical reels 26) isoriented vertically relative to the player. It will be appreciated,however, that any of several other models of gaming machines are withinthe scope of the present invention, including, for example, a“slant-top” video gaming machine 19 in which the video display 16 isslanted at about a 30° angle toward the player.

Electromechanical gaming machines 21 and video gaming machines 19generally operate in a similar manner as can be seen from FIG. 2 andFIG. 4. FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 are block diagrams of control systems suitablefor operating the gaming machines 20 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 respectively.A CPU 18 controls the gaming machine 20 through an I/O bus 15 thatcommunicates with a variety of peripheral devices used in the gamingmachine 20. These peripheral devices include: a wager acceptor 30,stepper motors 37, touch screen controller 38, speakers 25, videocontroller 34, etc. For example, a wager acceptor 30 accepts the wagerfrom a player. The wager acceptor 30 may include a coin acceptor 28 or abill validator 29. The wager acceptor 30 signals CPU 18 when bills orcoins are inserted into the gaming machine 20.

In addition to inserting a wager, the player may also insert aplayer-tracking card in the player-tracking card reader 24 to identifythe player to the computer network controlling the gaming system. Theplayer-tracking display 27 allows the player-tracking system tocommunicate with the player.

The CPU 18 executes a game program that causes the video display 16 (inthe example of a video gaming machine 19) or the mechanical reels 26 (inthe example of an electromechanical gaming machine 21) to display thebase game outcome. For a video gaming machine 19, the base game 32 istypically a slot type game that includes simulated reels on a videodisplay 16. For an electromechanical gaming machine 21, stepper motors37 drive mechanical reels 26. The player may select the number ofpaylines 31 to play and wager amounts via the touch screen 17 orpush-button panel 22. The base game 32 commences in response to theplayer activating the game through the push-button panel 22 or the touchscreen 17, causing the CPU 18 to set the reels in motion, to randomlyselect a base game outcome, and then stop the reels to display symbolscorresponding to the pre-selected base game outcome. The CPU 18 randomlyselects a base game outcome from a plurality of possible base gameoutcomes using a random number generator (RNG). In one embodiment,certain base game outcomes cause the CPU 18 to trigger a bonus mode(i.e., triggering a bonus game 39).

The bonus game display 35 is typically presented in the top box portionof the gaming machine 20 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The bonus gamedisplay 35 generally uses a video display 16 or a mechanical display topresent the bonus game 39. The bonus game 39 generally provides theplayer a higher probability of receiving a favorable game outcome fromthe bonus game then the base game. The bonus trigger temporarilyinterrupts the base game, transferring the player to the bonus game andescalates the anticipation of the bonus game outcome. If desired,however, the bonus trigger is not required, and the bonus game may beavailable or activated for each base game outcome.

The programming for both the base and the bonus games necessary toexecute the gaming machine's 20 functions are stored in system memory12. This stored program is operable in association with the CPU 18 toexecute the program's instructions. The system memory 12 stores controlsoftware, operational instructions, and data. In one embodiment, thesystem memory 12 comprises a non-volatile (separate read-only memory(ROM)) 14 and volatile (random access memory (RAM)) 13. The systemmemory 12 may be implemented on any of several alternative types ofmemory structures or may be implemented on a single memory structure.

A payoff mechanism 36, such as a ticket printer 23, is operable inresponse to instructions from the CPU 18 to award a payoff of credits tothe player in response to certain winning outcomes that may occur in thebase game 32 or bonus game 39. Cash or coin may also be dispensed toprovide a payoff to the player for a selected game outcome 41.

The payoff amounts corresponding to specific game outcomes (e.g.,combination of symbols) in the base game 32 are predetermined accordingto a pay table stored in system memory 12. The payoff amountscorresponding to bonus game outcomes may also be stored in system memory12.

Gaming machines 20 also typically include a speaker system asillustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 as a pair of speakers 25. Thesespeakers 25 broadcast the game's audio output to the player. The audiooutput may include messages related to game play or background music toaccompany game play.

The speaker output is controlled by the CPU 18 using a digital signalprocessor (DSP) to process audio data. The CPU 18 may also includememory for storing the audio data (typically called a data set), whichthe DSP processes. System memory 12 may also be used to store audio datasets. The processed audio data set is converted to analog audio signalsthat are amplified external to the main control board by an audiocontroller 33 and transmitted to the speakers 25 to provide audiooutput. Alternately, the audio controller 33 may contain the major audiocomponents typically included in the CPU 18.

In a similar matter, video sequences used to display game outcomes maybe stored in system memory 12. The CPU 18 retrieves the video sequencecorresponding to the game outcome selected by the RNG. The videosequence comprises a video data set ported to the video controller 34 toproduce a video image on the video display 16.

Alternatively, the video data sets may be stored on the video controller34. The CPU 18 may identify the appropriate video sequence associatedwith the randomly determined game outcome. The identification of thevideo sequence is ported to the video controller 34, which retrieves thecorresponding video data set from its memory. Any type of audio andvideo control systems such as though as described above, and any numberof variants may be used to implement the present invention.

Turning to FIG. 5, an electromechanical gaming machine 21 with a bonusgame display 35 is shown. All of the possible game outcomes 42 are shownin the bonus game display 35 in a rectangular array, organized in bothhorizontal and vertical award groups 40. Mechanical reels 26 a, 26 b and26 c are used to display a base game outcome. A specific reel symbol onreel 26 b is used to trigger the bonus game 39 (although any triggeringevent may be used to commence the bonus game).

In one embodiment, the symbol indicia on reels 26 a and 26 c may be usedhas a selector mechanism to select identifiers 43 that are associatedwith each of the award groups 40 in the array. For example, after thetriggering event, the mechanical reel 26 a is re-spun to determine asymbol indicium. The symbol indicium selected by reel 26 a is anidentifier 43 of one of the plurality of horizontal award groups on therectangular array in the bonus game display 35. As shown in FIG. 6, thesymbol indicium “7” has been selected by reel 26 a in the base game 32as the selected identifier 43. The selected identifier 43 designates thehorizontal award group 40 in the top box bonus game display 35. Thecorresponding horizontal award group is shown with an additional box toindicate the selected group.

Next, reel 26 c is re-spun and a “double bar” symbol indicium isdetermined as shown in FIG. 7. This symbol indicium is the secondselected identifier 43. The second selected identifier 43 designates thevertical award group 40 in the top box bonus game display 35. Theselected vertical group is shown with an additional box to indicate theselected group. The intersection of the selected vertical and horizontalaward groups 40, determined by the identifiers 43 determined by reels 26a and 26 c, determines the selected game outcome 41. The selected gameoutcome 41 can also be thought of as possible game outcomes common toeach of the selected award groups 40.

In another embodiment, the base game 32 may only be used to trigger thebonus game 39. The award groups 40 may be selected entirely within thebonus game 39 using any number of different game play mechanics.

Another embodiment of the game is shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment,the player (or the gaming machine 20) selects an award area 44 that isabove or below, and either left or right of the vertical and horizontalselected award groups 40 before the award groups are selected, oralternatively, after one of the award groups has been selected. Theaward areas or the relative directional selections relative to eachselected award group to determine an award area can be made using thevideo display 16 in association with a touch screen 17 or with thepushbutton panel 22. The player receives the selected game outcomes 41common to both of the selected award areas. Alternately, the selectedgame outcomes 41 are the intersection of the possible game outcomes inthe selected award areas.

In the example of the game shown in FIG. 8, the player has selected theaward area 44 below and to the right of the selected groups. The awardedgame outcomes may be limited to game outcomes inside the boundary of therandomly selected award groups 40 as shown in FIG. 8, or may include thegame outcomes included in the boundary itself that border the selectedgame outcomes 41. Rather than designating the rows and columns, theboundaries separating the rows and columns may be designated byidentifiers 43. This method provides a clearer indication to the playerof the actual selected game outcomes to be awarded the player using thisgame play mechanic.

Numerous alternative embodiments and enhancements can be made to thegame without departing from its spirit. For example, a player may have anumber of chances to randomly reselect a different award group 40. Ifthe player does not desire the randomly selected group, the player mayreject that group and use an available chance to randomly determine anew group. With this mechanism, the player can potentially improve thegame outcome.

Still another embodiment emphasizes that the array need not have anyparticular geometrical pattern as shown in FIG. 9. The bonus gamedisplay 35 may be a circular array in contrast to the rectangular arrayspreviously shown. Possible game outcomes 42 are located in radial andconcentric award groups 40. The radial award groups 40 may be designatedby an identifier as determined by the symbol indicium on the base game32 reel 26 a. The concentric award groups 40 (either the inner or theouter semicircular segments as shown in FIG. 9) may be designated by anidentifier as determined by the symbol indicium on the base game 32 reel26 c. For example, reel 26 c may use the standard base game symbols toidentify each of the concentric award groups 40. If less than all thestandard base game symbols are needed to identify each of the concentricaward groups 40 (as is the case of the two concentric award groups shownin FIG. 9), an additional symbol indicium characteristic may be used toidentify the concentric award groups 40. For example, the color of thesymbol may designate the concentric word group 40. Thus, a red symbol(regardless of the base game symbol) may indicate the inner concentricaward group and a blue symbol may indicate the outer concentric awardgroup. The intersection of the radial award groups 40 with theconcentric award groups determines the selected game outcome 41. Othermechanisms and indicia may also be used to identify both concentric andradial award groups 40.

In the context of rectangular and circular arrays, the possible gameoutcomes 42 can be designated in terms of rectangular and polarcoordinates respectively. In either type of array, a first and a secondcoordinate can be determined to locate a selected game outcome 41. Witha rectangular game array, the selection of an x-coordinate and ay-coordinate determine the winning game outcome 41. With polarcoordinates, a distance and an angle (or a radial segment) determine thewinning game outcome 41. In both cases, the initial coordinate valueprovides a player some information that narrows the possible gameoutcomes that may be awarded.

Another embodiment of the game does not depend on the intersection ofthe award groups 40. The award groups 40 are independently displayed.Possible game outcomes 42 may be duplicated in several, if not all, ofthe various award groups 40. Award groups 40 may be randomly selectedand possible game outcomes 42 common to the selected groups may beawarded to the player. For example, when two or more award groups 40 areselected, the possible game outcomes 42 that are common members to eachof the selected award groups 40 are highlighted on the display for theplayer. It is possible that more than one of the possible game outcomes42 is common to the selected groups. If desired, to reduce the number ofselected game outcomes 41, the number of groups received by the playermay be increased. For example, the player may only receive the possiblegame outcomes 42 common to three different groups. Consequently, it maybe an objective of the player to receive the fewest number of groupspossible to make it easier to obtain matching possible game outcomes 41.

Although the possible game outcomes 42 are shown as credit values, itshould be understood that the possible game outcomes 42 could be anytype of award or game play feature. For example, in addition to awardingcredit values, the possible game outcomes 42 may also includemultipliers or a combination of multipliers and credit values. Thepossible game outcomes 42 may also include the provision of free spins,wild cards, tools to enhance game play, etc. Further, although it iscontemplated that in general the award or game play feature will providea positive benefit to the player, it is also possible that such aselection will provide a negative or detrimental effect to the player'sgame outcome. With respect to negative outcomes the possible gameoutcomes 42 may include lose a turn, lose a portion of a wager, returnto the base game play (also known as a stopper or terminator), etc.These possible game outcomes 42 may be used in any combination.

In addition, if desired, a second, different bonus game may be playedand triggered by a different bonus trigger in the base game. Further, ifdesired, a special multiple bonus trigger may be created (either asingle special symbol or a combination of symbols) that allows a playerto play all the bonus games on the gaming machine with the singlemultiple bonus trigger. Gaming machines offering three or more differentbonus games 39 may allow the player to play all three different bonusgames (or some subset of multiple bonus games) offered on the gamingmachine 20 when the multiple bonus trigger occurs.

Although the above embodiments describe numerous game play mechanics towhich the present invention can be applied, it should be understood thatthe present invention could be applied to many other types of games.While the present invention has been described with reference to one ormore particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognizethat many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. For example, the embodimentsdiscussed may use a gaming machine which itself determines the gameoutcome with an onboard central processing unit. Alternately, the gamingmachine may be in a network that uses a central processing unit tocontrol and determine the game outcomes for each of the gaming machinesin that network. Each of these embodiments and obvious variationsthereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of theclaimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

1. A gaming machine, comprising: a wager acceptor for accepting a wagerto initiate game play; a central processor unit for randomly selecting aselected game outcome from a plurality of possible game outcomes, theplurality of possible game outcomes forming a plurality of groups, eachof the plurality of possible game outcomes defined by two groups fromthe plurality of groups, the central processing unit further fordetermining the two groups defining the selected game outcome; a displayin communication with the central processor unit, the display fordisplaying each of the plurality of groups and the plurality of possiblegame outcomes in each of the plurality of groups; and a payoff mechanismin communication with the central processor unit to make an award forthe selected game outcome.
 2. The gaming machine as described in claim1, wherein the selected game outcome is the intersection of the twogroups on the display defining the selected game outcome.
 3. The gamingmachine as described in claim 1, wherein the selected game outcome iscommon to the two groups defining the selected game outcome.
 4. Thegaming machine as described in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality ofgroups is associated with an identifier to designate each of theplurality of groups.
 5. The gaming machine as described in claim 4,further including a selector mechanism in communication with the centralprocessing unit, the selector mechanism for displaying the identifier ofeach of the two groups defining the selected game outcome.
 6. The gamingmachine as described in claim 5, wherein the selector mechanismsequentially displays the identifier of the two groups defining theselected game outcome.
 7. The gaming machine as described in claim 5,wherein the selector mechanism displays the identifier of the two groupsdefining the selected game outcome simultaneously.
 8. The gaming machineas described in claim 5, wherein the selector mechanism is at least onereel.
 9. The gaming machine as described in claim 5, wherein theselector mechanism is a set of reels in a base game.
 10. A method forplaying a wagering game on a gaming machine, comprising: accepting awager; displaying a plurality of groups, each of the plurality of groupshaving a plurality of possible game outcomes, each of the plurality ofpossible game outcomes associated with two groups from the plurality ofgroups; randomly determining a first group; randomly determining asecond group; identifying a selected game outcome associated with boththe first group and the second group; and making an award for theselected game outcome.
 11. The method for playing a wagering game asdescribed in claim 10, wherein the possible game outcome associated withthe first group and the second group is the intersection of the firstgroup and the second group.
 12. The method for playing a wagering gameas described in claim 11, wherein the intersection is the visualintersection.
 13. The method for playing a wagering game as described inclaim 10, wherein the selected game outcome is the possible game outcomecommon to both the first group and the second group.
 14. The method forplaying a wagering game as described in claim 10, wherein the pluralityof possible game outcomes is organized in a rectangular array, eachpossible game outcome in a horizontal group and a vertical group. 15.The method for playing a wagering game as described in claim 10, furtherincluding selecting a first award area relative to the first group andselecting a second award area relative to the second group.
 16. Themethod for playing a wagering game as described in claim 15, furtherincluding making an additional award for each of the possible gameoutcomes in the first group and the second group adjacent to theintersection of the first award area and the second award area.
 17. Amethod for playing a wagering game on a gaming machine, comprising:accepting a wager; displaying a plurality of possible game outcomesorganized into a plurality of groups on a display, each possible gameoutcome associated with at least two groups; determining a selected gameoutcome from the plurality of possible game outcomes; determining the atleast two groups associated with the selected game outcome;distinguishing the at least two groups associated with the selected gameoutcome from the plurality of groups on the display; and making an awardfor the selected game outcome.
 18. The method for playing a wageringgame as described in claim 17, wherein the at least two groupsassociated with the selected game outcome intersect the selected gameoutcome.
 19. The method for playing a wagering game as described inclaim 17, wherein the selected game outcome is common to both the atleast two groups associated with the selected game outcome.
 20. Themethod for playing a wagering game as described in claim 17, whereineach possible game outcome is uniquely defined by a coordinate system.21. The method for playing a wagering game as described in claim 20,wherein the coordinate system is a rectangular coordinate system havingan x-coordinate and a y-coordinate to define each possible game outcome.22. The method for playing a wagering game as described in claim 20,wherein the coordinate system is a polar coordinate system having adistance coordinate and a directional coordinate to define each possiblegame outcome.